The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-08-03
STORY OF A REMARKABLE GIRL,
She Had a Large Business Head and Mar
ried Well.
[Chicago Heraldl


Leonard SWEET, the famous Chicago law
yer, was married last evening to Miss Marie
Decker, one of his law partners, at the pal
ace of Arch bishop Feehan. 1t was a pri-
vate wedding. Besides the contracting
par tics, there were present only Miss Rose
SkilIints, niece of Mr.. SWEET, Mr.. aud Mrs.
Gerhart Decker, parents Of the bride; her
two brothers, Lewis and George. and her
thee sisters, Gertrude, Elise, and Katie.
Mr.. SWEET is a widower of sixty-one, his
wife having died in March, 1886. His
bride is lady of remarkable talents, born
in Cologne, on the Rhine, thirty years ago
She came to this city with her parents in
1869. Her father had been well to do in
Germany, and brought to Chicago consid-
cradle means, which he invested in busi-
ness and property. All was swept away in
the great fire, and the family was left al
most entirely without means Of support.
had been well educated at Cath
Ollie converts in Germany and
Belgium while yet but little
more than child, so that she brought to
Anerics with her the ability to write and
speak huently the German, French and
English languages, besides many other
accomplishments, especially music. When
the crash came in 1871, aud Mr.. and Mrs.
Decker were left homeless and without
once became thesource of inspiration and
hope OF the family. She threw aside her
much-loved music amid the smoke and
| ashes and chaos of the fire, and struck out
| into the world of business. Her knowledge
| of bookkeeping, and command of mathe-
MATES, her familiarity with foreign Ian
| euages, and her energetic spirit were ire
sistable. She had from the start choice
| of positions, and from the humble position
of bookkeeper in a small firm, she has, by
her wonderful skill. energy and abilities,
| risen step by step, first to an important
| position in the postoffice under Postmaster
Palmer, then 10 the chief clerkship of Mr.
Sweets law firm, later to partnership in
| terest in the firm, and finally, to become
the bride of the great lawyer, at whose
hands she sought modest clerkship seven
years ago.
For fifteen years she has served either in
the capacity of clerk, bookkeeper,
cashier, or manager, and during that time
has turned over to her parents to assist in
the support of the family, in addition to
clothing herself, the handsome sum OF
$4,000. 1t was with great feeling that her
father, whose scanty hair has become well
English TO the Herald reported last even
ing his great Joy on the one the hand and
deep sorrow on the other at parting with
bis daughter.
"She sprang up like light out of our
darkness" he said, land we had learned
TO forget misfortunes under her inspira-
tons. But she is going and her place can
never be filed. do not complain. She
is going where she will still be more use-
full"
1t would be impossible to tell the story
of the life of Leonard SWEETS bride in a 81 o.
gle Newspaper article. Her first decided
success was achieved in the postoffice,
where, in the management of foreign mail
matter, her knowledge of the languages
came into service, and her accuracy and
absolute reliability were recognized by all.
She bad already established a valuable
name In Chicago business circles, when she
presented herself, seven years ago, to Leon
ard SWEET for a portion in mis- law offices.
Her application was at once accepted, and
in short time she became practically In
dispen sable to the business Starting ont
as bookkeeper, she was soon placed in
chssge Of the vaults, and Was the only one